Term: Syphilis

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2012-12-03

Definition:

Infectious disease that may be transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated needles, or may be transmitted in utero. Symptoms can occur within a few weeks or a couple of months after infection. The first symptom may be a painless, open sore or ulcer (where the bacteria first entered the body). Later symptoms include patchy hair loss, a rash on soles of the feet or palms of the hands; fever; swollen glands, and muscle and joint pain. Symptoms usually disappear without treatment. If left untreated, syphilis can affect the brain, blood vessels, heart and bones, and can eventually lead to death.

Source: Health Canada. "Syphilis". 2006. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/syphilis-eng.php . - accessed October 22, 2012.

Related concepts 

• Syphilis - Method of Identification

Related terms 

• Avoidable Hospitalization For Immunizable and Preventable Infections
• Infectious Disease
• Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs)
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Links 

• Manitoba Health Web Site - Communicable Disease Control Unit - Communicable Disease Management Protocol - Syphylis

References 

• Health Canada. Syphillis. Retrieved from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/syphilis-eng.php. Accessed October 22, 2012.(View)

Term used in 

• Brownell M, Chartier M, Santos R, Ekuma O, Au W, Sarkar J, MacWilliam L, Burland E, Koseva I, Guenette W. How are Manitoba's Children Doing? Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Lix L, Smith M, Azimaee M, Dahl M, Nicol P, Burchill C, Burland E, Goh C, Schultz J, Bailly A. A Systematic Investigation of Manitoba's Provincial Laboratory Data. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)